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AN 



ORATIO 



tKONOUHCED BErOR.B THB 



REPUBLICAN CITIZENS, 



or THE 



TO"WiN Vt HlJNCillAM, 

IN COMMEMORATION 05 

JULY 4th, 1807. 



By benjamin GLEASON, a. m. 



The United States of America, firm in their principles of 
PEACE, have endeavoured by justice, by a regular dis- 
charge of all their national and social duties, and by eve- 
ry friendly office their situation has admitted, to main- 
tain with ALL, their accustomed relations of friendship, 
hospitality, and commercial intercourse. Jefferson. 




BOSTON; 

PRINTED BY HOSEA SPRAGUE, 

1807. 



U'QI 



Hingham, July 4, 1807. 

Sir, 

In compliance with the vote of the Committee of 

Arrangements, I return you their thanks, for your excel- 

lent and patriotic Oration, delivered this day, before the 

Republican Citizens of Hingham, and Its vicinity, and re* 

quest a copy t-^i^r^nf few thf prpcc. 

I am yours, &c. 

HAWKES FEARING, 

Chairman of the Commttu* 
Mb.. Benjamin Gleason, 

Charkstown, July 6, iSoy» 

'' Bunker^ s awful mound** -^The Mojiument 

of Warren. — The interests ^/'The Day.— JT*^ spit" 

it of our patriotic Citizens — and luy own Republican 

feelings, all induce me to accept your polite civilities^ 

and comply with your generous wishes. 

Tours, ^c» respedfullyj 

£. GLEASO. 
Hawkes Fearing, Esq. 
Chairman 0/ Com, Arrangement:* 




ORATION. 

— i*i9iat®l6foi»iw» 

I^aiPSNDSNT CiTlZSMS.'—FsTMRJN SotDlERS, 



HIS auspicious Day is all your own. 
**The times which tried men*s souls" are now past, 
and live only in recolledion. To the retrospedion 
of those great events, is consecrated this sacred 
Day. A Day of triumph, and immortal honour. 

Welcome — thrice welcome all ye peals of thun- 
der, from the cannon's mouth, and all ye clatter- 
ing chimes of public hilarity. Let the star'd 
colours wave in triumphant display, and all the 
rich pageantry of Art and Nature mingle in the 
glorious exhibition. 

Ye venerable fathers of a powerful Communi- 
ty, your hearts shall feel in all, and in all be hap- 
py ; for your youth was devoted to the glory of 
your country, and your old age is rewarded with 
all he honours your patriotism deserves. — You 
lived in elder times, and you live this day, to hear 
the songs of Peace, and to participate in all our 
festive joys. 

You saw the lowering aspe6t of our political 
hemisphere — you saw the tempest gathering its 
tremendous forces— you saw the pitiless stornt 



descend — you felt its horrors — and you suffered 
all ; but, your defence was God and your Right, 
and your salvation is everlasting ! " It shall be 
serene'* was the motto stamped upon the curren- 
cy of that Day, and you have lived to realize all 
your expedations. The bow of Peace was paint- 
ed on the darkest clouds ; you saw it, and you re- 
joiced in the assurance of Freedom. You saw 
the elements of life subjefted, and soon one perpet- 
ual azure brightened all the heavens. Your ex- 
ertions were all successful — and all sealed with 
the testimonials of your noblest blood. You were 
great in War as the chieftains of the bravest age. 
Your hearts sunk not in the midst of every dan- 
ger. Your desperation was tempered v/ith wis- 
dom and magnanimity. Your bosoms throbbed 
with regret — but with transport in every battle. 
And even Deatb itself became lovely as Hebe^ 
while it proffered the bitter cup j for you knew 
no fear, but the veneration of yourselves, and vour 
God. You were more than mortal ! 

Where is the man, who lives this Day, on this 
side the great waters of theOcean, who feds not an 
interest in these great and wonderful events ? 
Nay ! where is the child, whose litde heart warms 
not, in the contemplation of such a glowing pic- 
ture ? Sacred and socially affeded be all our feel- 
ings, on this glorious occasion. For what is mor- 
tality and all which it inherits, without the bles- 
sing we, this ever memorable day, so richly enjoy ? 
what is life, and all its hopes and blisses, without 
ibee, precious and inestimable Liberty ? 



Liberty flames forever on the holy altars of 
our Country ; and millions this day, breathe its 
vital warmth, and exult in its inextinguishable 
light and glory. — Preserve it, Heaven, long as the 
constellated spheres of Nature glovsr upon thy bo- 
som, and measure out the periods of eternal dura- 
tion. Preserve our most sacred peace and hberty. 
Almighty Parent — long as thy children virear "the 
image and superscription of their God." 

Nor you, ye sacred pledges of your Parents' 
love — ye rising generations, blooming in every 
virtue ; nor do you forget the honourable efforts 
of your fathers, who obtained for you this exalt- 
ed inheritance. They, with the arm of God made 
bare for their preservation, obtained your Indepen- 
dence^ and all its concomitant felicities ;~-your 
Peace, and all its social rights, and virtues, and 
Increasing happiness. They pledged their lives, 
their fortunes, and their most sacred honour, in the 
acquisition. They greatly triumphed in every 
cnterprize, and reaped a harvest of consummate 
satisfaction. The hatchet is now buried ; but the 
remembrance of former times shall never pass in- 
to the wastage of departed years. It fills our hearts 
with big sensations, and gladdens all the present 
scenes. It is enough, aged fathers, to have it 
said, you lived in those momentous times ; our 
hearts instantly feel for you all respedl, and wc 
exclaim— ^r^i;^ men, pur memories shall be im- 
tiortal / 



The battles of Thymbria^ Plataa, and Ther^ 
Tnopyla — what are they ? or what the more recent 

battles of Alexandria, Lodi, and Austerlitz, to the 
Revolution which gave ourNation — peace, liberty, 
and independence ? They all fall short of this 
exalted glory. 

Our Countrymen arose to a man to revenge a 
long train of daring and outrageous insults, " inju- 
ries and usurpations"-they fought, they bled, and 
nobly dared to die to save their infant country. 
They conquered, and returned from the ensan- 
guined fields of a6lion, covered with wounds, and 
scars, and everlasting glory. 

. Their leader was the immortal Washington. 
The apotheosis of A kxajider could never make 
him a chara(5i:er, preeminent as Washington, — 
Cizsar, with all his slaughtered thousands, and 
the liberties of his country overturned and destsoy- 
ed, was not great like him. — Nor is Bonaparte,thQ 
popiular here of the present age, a rival, or coun- 
terpart of the excellencies of this g reat and good 
man. He lived, and died an uncorrupted and 
faithful patriot — and the tears of millions have 
consecrated his memory. Sacred to endless pos- 
terity bethe memory of theimmortal Washington. 
Since the conflicting interests of the elder, and 
the infant world have subsided-since the purchase 
ci' Freedom was made — since our Independence \^'2iS 
obtained— since War ce2iSed—2ind A ?nerica has been 
free ; the blessed angel of Peace hath been our 
perpetual visitant, even down to this glorious an- 
niversary : and in " the full tide of successful ex-r 



periment,** successive periods of administration 
have passed, constitutionally modified, impro- 
ved, and continued to the present day. The pres- 
ent is ^Golden Age, — and equal rights, and equal 
liberties, with peace, prosperity, and happiness, 
are the awards of all. 

The celebrated author of the " Rights of Man" 
has somewhere given us a brief summary of equal 
rights—in words to the following efle£t. — 

Equal Rights, and equal Freedom, all should posses ; 

Tlie richest no more, and the poorest no less ; 
Yet all rights have their bounds ; but the right to do evil 

Is no Right of Man, but the right of the devil. 

May our land long be the seat of all the vir- 
tues, and honours, and felicities, connefted with 
the well regulated Rights of Man : — may your 
children, and children's children, throughout all 
generations, " rise up and call you blessed :"-and 
to yourselves, sacred be the enjoyments of this 
hallowed Day, You must be happy — for all Nature 

" smileg around, vritK boundless bounty blest, 



*• And Heaven beholds its image in your breast.'* 

You must be happy — for tho* you "^ sowed in 
tears," behold " you reap in great joy 1'* 

You must be happy-for all the riches and advan- 
tages,you possess,are the effed oiyoMrlndependence. 

If it be a true saying, that none know how to 
enjoy their possessions, so well as those, who 
have dearly earned them, — none can more richly 
enjoy the blessings of their Independence than they, 
who have earned them, at the dear price of their 



blood ; and hence happy are we that so many of 
our worthy fathers live this day to honour, with 
their presence, a Cclebratio?i, which is indeed " the 
feast of Reason, and the flow of Soul." 

To an American — to a Republican — the story 
of elder times will ever be interesting and grate- 
ful. With " the mind's eye'* to follow our veteran 
fathers, thro' all the manifold scenes, and ample 
fields they traversed ; and day and night, thro* 
every sufferance j — what a subject for contempla- 
tion ! 

Thne was once when your rich soil felt not the 

efFe£t of cultivation — its virgin bosom then scarce 
felt the genial influences of Heaven. Your cities, 
towns,and villages were then but hunting grounds, 
or places of resort for Indian warriors, or else 
unknown to every savage tribe, throughout the 
vast domain- — a blank existence ! Now rise from 
these same spots, innumerable spires, and domes, 
and noble edifices, towering to the clouds. Your 
population is great, and increasing immensely. 
Civilization holds you in the silken bands of good 
fellowship. Your Government is truly Ilepub- 
lican. The predominant excellency — nay, the 
soul of your Republic is Virtue — and the blessing 
of the Almighty is with you. 

Time was once -when Persecution passed 

with gigantic strides overy^/Z'/Wj sea-walled shores, 
and a little band of Burghers — independent in 
feeling and charafler, who worhipped God in 
pious sincerity, and venerated Liberty for its na- 
ture's sake, were driven from their native homes 



and paternal habitations, to seek for peace and 
quietude in a land of strangers ; their pilgrimage 
ended not there, they crossed the mighty waters, 
and sought an assylum in the wilds of North 
America. The benignant eye of Deity smiled 
complacent on all their wishes. Here they found 
a home, and here planted themselves, with char- 
tered privileges, on the most generous and happy 
soil, under the canopy of Heaven. They grew 
and flourished, and have now become a mighty 
and magnanimous People. 

Time was once —when the avocations, anxie- 
ties and fatigues of life, then necessary for subsis- 
tance and prote6lion, barricaded the human mind, 
and prevented its progress in those improvements, 
which are so congenial to its nature, and in which 
its capacities now' so pre-eminently excel. The 
Arts and Sciences, those lovely twin sisters in the 
human family, then slept where wild flowers shed 
their fragrant bloom. No Franklins then awoke 
them into life and transport. The infant colonies 
were then kept in leading-strings ; nor permitted 
to think, or speak, or aft, but at the sovereign 
nod of its parent Britain. This presumptive, sove- 
reign parent felt not the yearnings, nor affedtions 
of a mother ; it looked upon its offspring as a 
foundling, nursed by some menial servant, and 
educated in the school of insufferable discipline ; 
that its desertion from home was a proof of dar- 
ing disaffedion, and that cruel impositions and 
severities v/ere the only efficient correftives : but 
the offspring of Great Britain was no such found- 

2 



lO 



ling child j nor yet a prodigal son, waiting its 
substance in riotous living. — It never did, nor 
never would feed upon husks. — It never became 
senseless ; nor yet ever had occasion to arise and 
go to its parent for forgiveness. It was a legiti- 
mate child, and discovered early in life, a filial af- 
fection, respecl, and gratitude,— and never the hu- 
miliating servility of a menial j but the amputating 
knife of rigid intolerance made the Excision^ 
and the fairest branch oi a lofty txct was hewn 
to the ground. 1 he arms of domestic and hon- 
ourable regard took it to its bosom, and it was se- 
cured from danger; — it was borne to a milder and 
happier soil, and planted and cherished by a reli- 
gious love and veneration — it took a deep root, 
and grew — expanding all its verdant foliage, in 
the purest liquids and clearest sunshine of Heav- 
en ; The admiration of man^ and the glory of the 
world ! 

Time ivas once when War sat terrific upon 

Its embattled charger. It threw the gauntlet and 
bid defiance to all the respcc"lful affections of a 
deserving offspring. The mighty war horse, in- 
niired to carnage, and tutored to incessant battle, 
in the language of yob^ pawed in the valley, and 
rejoiced in his strength ; — his neck clothed with 
thunder,and richly caparisoned ; — the shrill sound 
of the trumpets heats the coursers* blood ; — " he 
smelleth the battle afar ofF; — he swalloweth the 
ground with fierceness and rage ;" — he champs, 
and neighs, and cries ha ! ha ! — both horse and 
rider stand ready and impatient for adion. The 



II 



suppliant offspring solicits protedion, promises 
hard submission, " conjures by the ties of com- 
mon kindred and corisanguinity,'* and gives up 
all its interests arid affedions to the parliance of 
Peace ; but the ostensible rights of Sacred Majest^t 
rriust prevail — and, to arms I to arms .' was the 
universal crv, 

Ti'/lte was once when the embattled ranks 
lined all our shores ;— and implicit and perpetual 
Subjugation^ or supreme and peipetudillndependencs 
were the only alternatives. 

?T7//2fjj— the blood-stained traces of the merce- 
nai^y troops, in every section of our country : 
the horrors of those times are not to be pidured 
by words. Witness — the conflagration of your fair 
towns and h?.ppy villages : distresses and calami- 
ties, which our fathers beheld, which we their 
children never yet have seen. Witness — the savage 
depredations upon your peace,' your property, and 
what is dearer than life itself, upon your virtues : 
your sons were immolated before your eyes — ■ 
your loving wives and lovely daughters were sac- 
rificed to every baser passion. — Heavens ! must 1 
remember the tears I have shed over your history, 
ye husbands,ye fathers of such virtuous wives, and 
children. Witness— ihe sacrilegious prostitution of 
yourtemples,cre6ledtoGoD5and dedicated to every 
Christian social virtue. How did a brutal soldiery 
ravage your well cultivated fields, your sacred 
habitations, ?.nd your more sacred temples of 
sublime and Godly worship ! Contrast the quiet 
pleasures of this Day, with those dreadful abuses 



12 



and dreadful sufFerings. Itis wellfor "thegcod peo- 
ple of these UnltedStates," to think often of those 
times — to consider the present — and to be Vv'ise ; 
lest they negleclfully swerve from the path of their 
political duty, and heedlessly prostitute, or pervert 
the true spirit, and venerable principles of K.epub- 
licanism. The Declaration of our Independence 
has well and truly asserted that " The history of 
the present king of Great Britain is a history of 
repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in- 
dired objed, the establishment of an absolute ty- 
ranny over these States." Again. Witnsss- — the 
frauds, massacres, and prison ships, which baf- 
fled, surprised, and nullified your energetic pow- 
ers. Witness — the treason, rapine, and devastation, 
the fragments of which are even now visible, 
scattered among those mouldering ruins, which 
every where meet your view, as memorials of the 
proud, perverted policy of the British Cabinet. 
Witness — the oppressions, interruptions, embarras- 
ments, and invalidation of our laws, our civil and 
judicial regulations, , and all our legislative and 
national concerns. Witness — " the standing armies 
introduced," and the " insurrections excited a- 
mongstus." Witfiess also-" the mercileslndian sav- 
ages" brought upon our defenceless frontiers, 
"with the tomahawk and scalping-knife — destroying 
*'all age8,sexes,and conditions." Witness— ytyoMX- 
selves, who survived this everlasting disgrace, 
which has, and will for ages yet to come, tarnish 
Jhe valour, heroism, and glory of Great Britain, 



n 



Ye noble sires of a numerous progeny, the re- 
ward of your exertions is imperishable as the 
stars, if we, your children, but continue to imitate, 
and venerate your exalted virtaes.~The roaring 
of the British Lion can never affright us : — the 
whole armada of English Sea-Leopards, with all 
their vindictive barbarities, can but excite a spirit, 
which will be their inevitable destruction i—nor 
can " all th.e vassals of Europe in arms" destroy 
our Independence, 

You saw the vengeful malignity of that power, 
which treated your sober remonstrances, and ear- 
nest petitions with insolence ; which crouded up- 
on you, with treacherous cunning, and cruel im- 
positions in one hand ; with frauds, imperious 
threats, and sovereign contempt in the other. 
You saw the mighty ppwer, v/hich strided and 
led the war horse on to battle. You heard the 
clangor of arms. You beheld your " cities wrapt 
in fire," and your own garments were " rolled- 
in blood." You saw the cannon's terrific blaze — 
you heard its labouring thunders. You witnes- 
sed the industry of your own hands trodden to 
the earth — the hard earnings of many wearisome 
days and years, v^'asted in unfeeling sport. You 
saw the pointed steel goring the bleeding bosoms 
of your beloved wives and children ! You felt 
your cherished hopes and fairest prospects cut off 
on every side. You were driven to a revengeful 
desperation. You snw,-jou /jeard,-you.feIf,-\ike 
men. Your last hope trembled in the entrench- 
ment of Liberty. It flittered upon the last point 
of destiny. The all seeing eye of Heaven pat- 



14 

jonized the cxpirlrxg flame, and bade it live. 
Cherubic hosts guarded the holy fire,-and Nature 
kindled the inextinguishable blaze of Freedom. 
You appeared in battle array. You rose indig- 
nant. You could bear no - more. You " ap- 
pealed to the supreme judge of the Universe fot 
the reditude of your intentions." You declared 
yourselves Free and Independent. Your ground 
was principle. Your law the Rights of Man. 
Your cause was the noblest. Your eflforts were 
justified, a!nd crowned with complete success. 
You " fought and bled in Freedom's cause," and 
you were greatly vi£lorious. ' 

Death or Liberty \v2is the insignia and counter- 
sign of those times, ahd you verified the truth of 
feeling, by all your wonderful transadions. 

These were the days of old. The objp£l and 
end of all your invincible energies were fully an- 
swered, and the consummation of all was Feacs 
and Independence. 

Upon the ruins of war, rose the fabric of our 
superior Constitution and Government — and this 
our 2idmiv3b\e Republic, which far surpasses all the 
republics of the elder world. They were frail as the 
nature of Man, and have long since crumbled to 
atoms: — ours is founded upon that wisdom, which 
is thefear of theALMiGHTY — and upon those im- 
mutable principles, which are unchangeable as 
Truth, and is co-eternal with the duration of Vir- 
tue. 

Equal rights, and equal privileges are now ,in 
solemn compact, guaranteed and secured to us," 
by every sacred tie, almost beyond the reach of 
violation. 



^5 

An equal representation in our state and gen- 
eral governments, our frequent elections, and 
our corporate capacities now affords us every im- 
portant political advantage : the present is indeed 
fraught ,wi,th innumerable blessings, and th^fii- 
tur^ with the richest anticipated felicities. 

Blest and happy are we now as a nation. Our 
political enjoyments and advantages, are incalcu- 
lably great. Our domestic peace, prosperity, and 
happiness are now almost as rich as life can make 
them. 

Distindions may exist in society, and there may 
be differences in our political sentiments ; but un- 
less some desperate villain should dare to leap 
the barriers of our social Peace, pass the boun- 
daries of our excellent civil regulations, and with 
malice prepense, or in cold blood — to Iiurl " fire- 
brands, arrows, and death, '^ among his fellow citi- 
zens — a dog-ribbed wolf ! preying upon the qui- 
etude and confidence of society — excepting a sol- 
itary instance, like this, oi horrible frenzy J — what 
have we to fear from the mere differences of 
opinion, on the same subjed ? 

Call him as we please Republican, or Federalist, 
a good man ever a£ls from Principle, And it is 
wisely observed by our honourable chief magis- 
trate that *' good men can never make bad citi- 
zens.'* It is a truth, that every man is as fairly 
entitled to his opinion as is his neighbour ; and 
hence, every man's opinions may be respe6led in 



i6 



proportion to his education, and understanding. 
There are times, it is said, when " men equally- 
good, and equally great hold sentiments unequiv- 
ocally hostile" — and however in trifling specula- 
tions we may divide, diversify, and arrange our 
notions of Government, of the existing state of 
things, and of the powers that be, yet we must 
have the good of our common country at heart, 
because it is inseperably incorporated with our 
own individual welfare and prosperity : hence W2 
hold ourselves Free and Indivisible. And while we 
pledge ourselves, in "peace, commerce and honest 
friendship with all." 

Firmly united let us ever be. 
Rallying rouaJ our gluiiuus Liberty. 

After exhausting the cup of Reconciliation to 
the very dregs — after • conflidling thro* blood 
and slaughter, with infuriated mercenary troops, 
during eight successive years — after, (like Charity 
Itself,) " bearing all things, enduring all things 
iind hoping all things" — the palm of Vidory was 
at last awarded to our brave and immortal coun- 
trymen. They obtained an honourable Independ- 
ence: v/hile the ^^hundred milliom of money ^ind hwi' 
dred thoitsand lives " which England expended to 
support their inglorious presumption, are in all 
probability now funded in extensive annuities, 
and multiplied conscriptions of an irredeemable 
National Debt / 



'?7 

England has been as a man of war from its 
youth ; but its fate is now hinged upon all the 
casualties and chances of life. The strippling of 
France holds the pebbles and the sling, and all 
await the issue of combat. Their Hearts of Oak 
may one day perish, as the hearts of Fox and Nel- 
son, and like them resuscitate no more, till the 
general renovation of all things. — Peace be ivith 
thenu 

Since the establishment of our Independence 
has received the acknowledgment, and sanftion 
of surrounding Nations ; our Republic has taken 
a shape and form, which bears the test of all in- 
vestigation. The powers and dependencies ars 
all so nicely adjusted, and so accurately ballanced, 
embodying all theaftive and intelligent principles 
of Virtue— it is a soul and body of itself entire, in a 
state of innocence, incorruptible, full of health 
and vigor, and like Achilles invulnerable to the 
very heel— -and even this is not exposed to the ar- 
rows of a Faris I 

The compound of all Governments constitute 
our own, and make it a Republic, Our republic- 
an Government stands like a pyramid, based up- 
on the Sovereignty of the People, or in other 
words, upon Democracy. The executive power is 
Its vertex, and may be considered the principle of 
Monarchy^ in certain limitations,. founded and de- 
pendent only upon the sovereign will oiTheFeopk* 
in the superior grades, oi our Legislature, arc 



20 



Your civil privileges are replete with every ex- 
cellence, and importance, and temples are risincr 
every where around you, filled with the incense 
of gratitude ; in Christian Fellowship, with filial 
veneration, dedicated to the Parent of Universal 
Nature. 

You are indeed— this Day, rich and happy, and 
highly favoured: and all this is the effeaof thegood 
administration of our good republican govern- 
ment, which Government is the immediate oti- 
spring of our Liberty and Independence. 

Fe/Iow Citizens, may we ever delight, on this 
important anniversary day, to refJea and be grate- 
ful J to consider and be v/ise ; to understand and 
be happy. Ever persevering in the pathway of 
our Duty, and ever enjoying the rich triumph of 
exalted republican principles. 

The changes of officers, which have been made, 
since what was called the Reign of Terror, and 
which are now making in the different departments 
of our government, are evidently evincive of our 
republican feelings, and bear large testimony to 
the excellency of our republican forms and opera- 
tions. J/I is well ! and the hearts of all good 
men and true rejoice. 

jEFFERGON—the pride of our nation j the first 
citizen of our country j a man honoured with the 
friendship of all nations, loved and respeded by 
his own ; good as Aristides in principle, and great 
as Washington in charader ^--this illustrious and 



; 



21 

dignified personage, penned the declaration oF 
American Indepedence, which makes our Country 
free : he gave his signature to the same ; and 
has lived to this day, to give spirit, and energy, 
and the fullest efFeft, to all the honourable trans- 
actions of his useful life.— 

Long live the Preside?2t of our United States ! 

Citizens of Massachusetts, your suffrages 
have recently placed, in the chair of state, the Hon. 
James Sullivan, £x^. — a man who having pas- 
sed all the fiery ordeals of Federalism is acknowl- 
edged, by even the rebellious spirit of opposition 
itself,to be woi thy of your highest confidence and 
esteem. The result of this eledlion will no doubt, 
be a general harmony in our own, and the Gov- 
ernment of the United Sates. Our refledions 
and considerations have made us wise. The same 
causes will unquestionably produce the same ef 
fe6ls, in our sister states — Conne£licut and Dela- 
■ware. Reformation and a return to first princi- 
ples, must be the eventual issue — and the States 
ALL UNITED in principles, feelings,and interests, 
will then become a Pow^r-formidable,respe<5table, 
and majestic, among the sister nations and re- 
publics of the world ; be most worthily the boast 
and pride of Americans ; the delight and admira- 
tion of mankind. 

Thus have we taken a brief aud cursory view 
of the times long past ; considered, in due com- 
memoration, The Day — and transferred our anti- 



■ 



2.0 



Your cml privileges are replete with every «. 
cellence and importance, and temples are risine 
every where around you. filled with the incens! 
of gratitude ; m Christian Fellowship, with filial 

Na"ture"°"' ''""""'' " ""' ^"'''''' °^ ^""""'^^ 
Youareindeed-thisDay, rich and happy, and 
I>.ghly favoured: and all this is the effeftof thegood 
admm,stration of our good republican govern- 
ment, which Government is the immediate off. 
spring of our Liberty and Independence. 
_ Fe/h-oj Citizens, may we ever delight, on this 
important anniversary day, to reflefl and begrate- 
Jul ; to consider and be wise ; to understand and 
be happy. Ever persevering in the pathway of 
our Duty, and ever enjoying the rich triumph of 
exalted republican principles. 

The changes of officers, which have been made 
smce what was called the Rei^n of Terror, and 
which are now making in the diftcrent departments 
of our government, are evidently evincive of our 
republican feelings, and bear large testimony to 
the excellency of our republican forms and opera 
tions. ^//„^,/// and the hearts of all good 
men and true rejoice. 

_ jEFFERsoN-the pride of our nation ; the first 
citizen of our country ; a man honoured with the 
friendship of all nations, loved and respefled by 
his own ; good as ^risMes in principle, and great 
^^Mas&,„S'=n in charaQer ;_.this illustrious and 



21 



dignified personage, penned the declaration of 
American Indepedence, which makes our Country 
free : he gave his signature to the same ; and 
has lived to this day, to give spirit, and energy^ 
and the fullest efFed, to all the honourable trans- 
adions of his useful life.—- - 

Long live the Presiderit of our United States ! 

Citizens of Massachusetts, your suffrages 
have recently placed, in the chair of state, the Hon. 
James Sullivan, -Ei-^. — a man who having pas- 
sed all the fiery ordeals of Federalism is acknowl- 
edged, by even the rebellious spirit of opposition 
itself, to be woi thy of your highest confidence and 
esteem. The result of this eledlion will no doubt, 
be a general harmony in our own, and the Gov- 
ernment of the United Sates. Our reflections 
and considerations have made us wise. The same 
causes will unquestionably produce the same ef 
feds, in our sister states — Connedicut and Dela- 
■ware. Reformation and a return to first princi- 
ples, must be the eventual issue — and the States 
ALL UNITED in principles, feelings,and interests, 
will then become a Powfr-formidable,respe6lable, 
and majestic, among the sister nations and re- 
publics of the world ; be most worthily the boast 
and pride of Americans j the delight and admira- 
tion of mankind. 

Thus have we taken a brief aud cursory view 
of the times long past ; considered, in due com- 
memoration, The Day — and transferred our anti- 



I 



cipatlons forward, far into futurity. Time would 
fail us to enlarge, or be more particular. Vene- 
rate yourselves — venerate your aged veterans-— 
venerate the memory of your patriots — ^venerate 
the God of your fathers — and you must ever be 
great and distinguished — ^blest and happy. 

The time now is when all the advantages we 

ennumerate are richly and gratefully apparent, 
and the time will doubtless soon come, when 
Louisiana, purchased by a fair price, without the 
expense of human blood, — i?i defiance of every 
treacherous attempt, — shall become a respefta- 
ble portion of our great community, — and our 
United States as ^permanent Republic, know no 
lono-itudinal bounds, but the two great Oceans-^ 
in latitude extending thro' all the temperate cli- 
mate " om the Gulf of Mexico, to the great chain 
cf Northern Lakes : a free and generous soil ; 
cove'"~d with a freejcivilizedjand virtuousPEOPLi:; 
one Government ; and " all Republica?2s /'* — de- 
lightful perspeftive view ! — charming scenes of 
Friendship and Happiness ! 

May God Almighty prosper all our laudable 
endeavours and consummate the increasing felici» 
cides of this our distinguished Country. 



R B 9. 3. '1 



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